2023 SARA NY Design Awards

On June 13th, 2023 SARA NY hosted our annual Design Awards Gala at The Manhattan Manor in Times Square, New York. Over 200 architects, contractors, and vendors convened to connect with each other to celebrate and to honor design achievements in architecture. Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2023 SARA NY Design Awards. We would also like to thank our keynote speaker for the evening, David G. Polk, and the jurors for this year's awards: Mary Burnham, Dana Tang, Jejon Yeung, Preet Gill, & Jordan Rogove. Thank you to our sponsors of the 2023 SARA NY Design Awards: ACNY, Benjamin Moore, Delancey Street Associates, Friends of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine, The Family of Kathryn Marie Firneis, Glen-Gery/Brickworks Design Studio, Haque and Associates LLC, M.G. Engineering D.P.C., MAP Architects, Morris Adjmi Architects, MW-skins, Office for Equatorial Intelligence, Panoramic European Windows and Doors, SAGE AV, & Zetlin & De Chiara LLP. And finally, thank you to the SARA NY Board of Directors for once again creating a safe and inclusive event to celebrate architecture.

Read on for the full list of winners and their winning designs, and do check out some of the highlights from the evening's event in our gallery!

2023 SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS

Outstanding Achievement Award for the Enhancement of the Profession of Architecture

Robert Strong

Robert Strong received an Outstanding Achievement Award for the Enhancement of the Profession of Architecture. As President of ACNY, Robert has tirelessly been working with the ACNY Board to steer DOB’s management by simplifying its procedures and making DOB more accountable. As part of the Adams Commission, he has worked to correct inequities and liabilities for Architects and has positively impacted the field of Architecture and it’s practices. Robert is also a NY Council Director of the SARA NY Board. Robert is the paragon of SARA’s motto: “Architect Helping Architect.” We are honored to present the Outstanding Achievement Award for the Enhancement of the Profession of Architecture, to Robert Strong. Thank you Robert for all you do for our industry and community.

Special Award for Innovation in Institutional Design

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church & National Shrine
New York, New York, USA

by Santiago Calatrava Architects & Engineers

“St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine is emblematic of Lower Manhattan’s storied future and defining past,” said architect Santiago Calatrava. The Church was the only religious structure to be destroyed on 9/11; now it becomes a National Shrine at the World Trade Center site. St.Nicholas Church is situated 25 feet above street level, and serves as a beacon of hope. It is composed  of a circular domed church flanked by four towers, This shape was inspired by a mosaic in Hagia Sophia. Inspired by Byzantine architecture, and full of symbolism, the Church made from Pentelic marble, provides a sequence of spaces that respects the tradition, but reflects the time we live in.

Special Award for Innovation in Cultural Design

The Studio Museum in Harlem
New York, New York, USA

by Adjaye Associates

“The museum will create and subvert the notion of a museum; it will create a sense of public curiosity, and engage with 125th street and not try to deny it.” said architect David Adjaye. The Studio Museum in Harlem is dedicated in the celebration of the African Diaspora, with a strong mission towards Education. It was not only designed to exhibit art, but also to connect and unite the local community through art. The Architects mission was not only achieved, but superseded all expectations. What the Architect calls the “reversed stoop” a stepped area that leads down into the museum creates an inside/outside volumetric relationship. The street becomes part of the museum and provides a moment of respite. Harlem Vernacular as the inspiration, the museum tells a story. The stacked volumes of the galleries that are always framing,  creating a dialogue of the inside with the outside.

Special Award for Innovation in Urban Design

Essex Crossing
New York, New York, USA

by Delancey Street Associates (BFC Partners, L+M Development Partners, and Taconic Investment Partners)

The consortium of Delancey Street Associates: composed of BFC Partners, L+M Development Partners, Taconic Investment Partners are responsible for the creation of Essex Crossing. The scale of their achievement is staggering. Two million square feet over 6 acres and 9 sites, a blend of nearly 1,100 market and affordable housing units, 350,000 SF of office and 300,000 SF of retail space makeup Essex Crossing. However, more importantly than volume and scale, is the quality and thoughtfulness of binding elements of civic purpose, community and common good at the heart of the vision.  The Essex market has been given a new world class home, buildings have been provided with connective tunnels, bridges and corridors to perpetuate interaction and shared experience, helping tide the growing phenomena of divide and loneliness, and a series of biophilic parks and gardens are scattered throughout with a clear emphasis on the health and well being of all occupants. After years of this site lying fallow post slum clearance, and being the center of cultural battles to develop, a place of great cultural import has been created.  As architects we dream of being involved in such projects, but they would not be possible without the skill and determination of development teams like Delancey Street Associates.

2023 WINNERS

Design Awards of Excellence

Design Awards of Honor

Design Awards of Merit

2023 STUDENT WINNERS

Kathryn Marie Firneis Memorial Student Award

DESIGN AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

Grafting New Skins for Urban Fragments
St. Louis, missouri, USA

by Jaewon Choi | Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University student Jaewon Choi was presented the Kathryn Marie Firneis Memorial Student Award. This award was created to honor the late Kathryn M. Firneis, who was a pillar of the SARA community and worked extensively to help connect architecture students with their future peers and colleagues in the industry. The award was presented by Kathy's husband and long time SARA member, Robert Firneis. Jaewon Choi’s design, Grafting New Skins for Urban Fragments, explores the possibility of creating a new context for this neglected and isolated urban fragment (Chouteau’s Landing, St. Louis, MO) by allowing the city of St. Louis to bring events and people back into these marginalized spaces.

Design Awards of Excellence

Design Awards of Honor

Design Awards of Merit

2023 SARA NY DESIGN AWARD SPONSORS